China to reopen Tibet to foreign tourists
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
BEIJING, Mar 30 (AFP): Tibet will reopen to foreign tourists on April 5, an official was quoted Monday as saying, in a sign that authorities may ease a crackdown imposed for the anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising.
State news agency Xinhua quoted Tibet's head of tourism, Bachug, as saying tourist arrivals had been suspended in March "for the sake of travellers' safety" but would resume April 5.
"Tibet is harmonious and safe now," he said, adding that "travel agencies, tourist resorts and hotels are well prepared for tourists," according to the report issued late Sunday.
Authorities imposed the security clampdown in Tibet and adjacent areas to prevent unrest during this month's 50th anniversary of the revolt that led to the flight into exile of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader.
An official at the tourism administration of Tibet, who did not want to be named, confirmed the news.
"Foreign tourists can go to Tibet but need a confirmation letter from the police," he said.
However, there was confusion about the planned re-opening among travel agents and others in the industry.
"Foreign tourists can't go to Tibet until April 28th, that's from a notice from the Sichuan Travel Administration," said an employee at the Chengdu China Travel Service agency in southwest China, which organises Tibet tours.
"Foreign tourists need to apply for permission to enter Tibet, and they can't go with a Chinese group."
A worker at a downtown Lhasa hostel was also unaware of the official date, saying he had heard the city would reopen to foreigners on April 14.
The apparent confusion over re-opening mirrors that in late February, when travel agents insisted that the Himalayan region had been closed to foreign travellers, but China's foreign ministry claimed it was business as usual.
The latest clampdown was the second time in a year Tibet had been sealed to foreign tourists.
State news agency Xinhua quoted Tibet's head of tourism, Bachug, as saying tourist arrivals had been suspended in March "for the sake of travellers' safety" but would resume April 5.
"Tibet is harmonious and safe now," he said, adding that "travel agencies, tourist resorts and hotels are well prepared for tourists," according to the report issued late Sunday.
Authorities imposed the security clampdown in Tibet and adjacent areas to prevent unrest during this month's 50th anniversary of the revolt that led to the flight into exile of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader.
An official at the tourism administration of Tibet, who did not want to be named, confirmed the news.
"Foreign tourists can go to Tibet but need a confirmation letter from the police," he said.
However, there was confusion about the planned re-opening among travel agents and others in the industry.
"Foreign tourists can't go to Tibet until April 28th, that's from a notice from the Sichuan Travel Administration," said an employee at the Chengdu China Travel Service agency in southwest China, which organises Tibet tours.
"Foreign tourists need to apply for permission to enter Tibet, and they can't go with a Chinese group."
A worker at a downtown Lhasa hostel was also unaware of the official date, saying he had heard the city would reopen to foreigners on April 14.
The apparent confusion over re-opening mirrors that in late February, when travel agents insisted that the Himalayan region had been closed to foreign travellers, but China's foreign ministry claimed it was business as usual.
The latest clampdown was the second time in a year Tibet had been sealed to foreign tourists.